A FORMER DRAGONS’ Den star and Conservative Party adviser has been charged with child sex offences.

Douglas Richard is accused of three counts of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He appeared in the first two series of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and has a long association with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Telegraph notes that he wrote a report about small businesses in Britain for Cameron when he was in opposition. He was also one of a number of people who accompanied the Prime Minister on an African trade mission in July 2011.

A statement issued by the Crown Prosecution Service reads:

“We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by City of London Police in relation to Douglas Richard, 57, who was arrested on 5th January this year.

Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Douglas Richard to be charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The alleged offences occurred on 2nd January 2015 and relate to one victim aged 13 at the time.

“Mr Richard will appear before City of London Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.

“Mr Richard is now charged with criminal offences and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Comments are closed on this article as it involves an ongoing court case. 

Read: The BBC: ‘Do you know what would be a good idea? Broadcasting a radio show into North Korea’

Read: An award winning teen book about sex and drugs has been banned and Kiwis are NOT happy